Libyan government forces' use of cluster bombs against civilians could constitute crimes under the International Criminal Court, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Wednesday.
Navi Pillay condemned the reported repeated use of cluster munitions and heavy weapons by Moamer Gaddafi's forces against civilians in Misurata, dpa reported.
"I urge the Libyan authorities to face the reality that they are digging themselves and the Libyan population deeper and deeper into the quagmire," Pillay said from her Geneva office.
She called for ending the siege of the northwestern city of Misurata, one of few cities held by armed rebels against Gaddafi's superior-armed troops. She said the fighting has caused civilian casualties, including the deaths of women and children.
"The pro-government forces besieging the city, including their commanders and all other personnel, should be aware that - with the International Criminal Court investigating possible crimes - their orders and actions will be subject to intense scrutiny," Pillay said.
The UN Children's Fund's Executive Director Anthony Lake said in New York that the fighting in Misurata has killed at least 20 children and countless others have been injured.
"Reports of the use of cluster munitions are particularly alarming," Lake said.
UNICEF also said it was concerned that children have been killed in the so-called Arab Spring across the Middle East and North Africa.
It said at least 26 children were killed and another 800 were injured in the clashes in Yemen, while nine were killed in the last weeks in Syria.
Other children have been killed or injured in attacks not related to pro-democracy protests, including in occupied Palestinians territories and in southern Israel, UNICEF said.
"UNICEF urges all parties to meet their obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and international humanitarian law, and to take all necessary steps to protect children from the direct and indirect effects of violence," a statement by the agency in New York said.
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